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  Discussion on Watery discharge one nostril
Author Message
New Member:
leapin

Posted on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 7:45 pm:

I have a rising 4 year old who has had a clear to straw/urine discharge from the off nostril for 18 months. It is generally very slight but never goes away, at times it drips. Initially, his glands under the jaw bone were enlarged, particually the one on the same side as the discharge, (it was very big)but they have slowly but surely gone down to what I would now say is normal. He has no other symptoms and would appear very healthy. He has no cough, but does blow his nose a lot when active. At rest, it does not seem to worry him at all. He has been scoped twice, but nothing could be found, except that the moisture starts near the end of his nasal passage...up high everything is quite dry. After being scoped the discharge really increased for some hours. He definately resented the discharge side being done more than the side that is clear. He has been on "natural" supplements eg garlic, rose hips, and had a course of vit c to try and improve his immune system, but it made no difference. What do I do? I live in a very remote area where it is very difficult to get access to any state of the art diagnostic gear. Could it be something to do with getting new teeth etc?? I worry about it constantly and would really appreciate any help/advice. Many thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 - 8:22 am:

Welcome cruiser
I presume the discharge has been shown to not be coming from the nasolacrimal duct which opens in the distal nostril?

If the area the discharge originates from has been well visualized and no disease process visible, I don't know what there is to worry about. Yes this does seem a bit abnormal but this tissues normally produce this serous discharge. Something seems to be overstimulating the tissues in this area or this area is unusually sensitive to stimulation. If there is no destructive disease process going on it strikes me this area is just sensitive. Maybe some past mild infection has left it this way.

If you choose to continue to pursue this radiography of the skull in this area seems the next best step and should be available to you. If I understand what you are saying about location this is a little far down the maxilla to be tooth related.

Lastly it would be interesting if a course of antihistamine or possible steroids would make it stop. For more on these see Treatments and Medications for Horses ยป Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, Steroids, Arthritis Rx)
DrO
New Member:
leapin

Posted on Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 - 7:13 pm:

Thank you so much Dr O...you make me feel a lot less concerned. Yes, he has had his nasolacrimal duct checked. We were about to try him with steroids, so it is good to have that confirmed. Many thanks again for your help. This is a wonderful sight, especially for us who don't have easy access to vets.
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